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Home » Side Dish

Published: Jan 23, 2016 · Modified: Oct 26, 2020 by Kathy

Crock Pot Refried Beans

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A bowl filled with refried beans topped with green scallions.

Refried beans made in a crock pot. Lots of flavor and no fat!

A white plate with beans, tomatoes and a tortilla.

Easy to make refried beans

I love these crock pot refried beans! They are so tasty, so easy and they aren't from a can!

Anytime I make something myself, I just know exactly how it has been handled and the quality of the ingredients I use. Plus homemade refried beans are much cheaper than buying the cans from the grocery store.

Crock Pot Refried Beans in a white bowl topped with chopped onions.

Slow cooker refried beans

I've made these refried beans several times and I think I've finally nailed the technique. Even though these are called refried beans, they aren't really refried. I know traditionally that is how they got their name, but not necessary here. Once the beans are cooked through, you have them mash them up! Lots of fun, right?

Since we also need to keep the onion, garlic, and peppers in the beans, pureeing the mixture actually works better. I've used all types of modern conveniences:  an immersion blender, regular blender, and a food processor.

The blenders work well, but my biggest problem is too much liquid. And too much liquid means runny beans. Now I don't like my beans as thick as they come out of the can, but I would like them to hold their shape on a chip or not run straight out of a burrito.

The food processor has become my best friend for these beans. I simply scoop the beans, onions, garlic and peppers out of the crock pot with a slotted spoon and pile it into the food processor. A bit of the liquid gets transferred with each spoonful. Then simply pulse until blended!

If it is too dry you can scoop a bit more liquid. I do this in several batches and then place huge bowl. It is okay to leave a few beans whole or just partially mashed. Once they are all mashed up, I add salt and then divvy up the beans into small containers and throw them in the freezer for weeknight dinners.

Another easy recipe for refried beans are these quick refried beans.

Huge metal bowl of refried beans with an orange spatula.

When I make these, I usually make the biggest batch that will fit into my crock pot. For me, that's a two pound package of pinto beans. My recipe below is for one pound of pinto beans. Not everyone has a huge crockpot.

If you love using your crockpot for cooking beans, you'll also want to check out this recipe for slow cooker charro beans!

These refried beans are perfect in my cream cheese bean dip!

Beans topped with chopped green onions served with tortillas on a plate.

Another dried bean recipe to try is Instant Pot Black Beans.

Large bowl of mashed pinto beans.

These beans are perfect to serve with baked tortilla chips, baked enchiladas, tacos and taquitos or added to a burrito along with shredded chicken.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

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A white bowl filled with refried beans.

Crock Pot Refried Beans

Kathy Berget
Refried beans made in the crock pot. Can be portioned and frozen for quick dinners.
5 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Side Dish, Vegetable
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 12 servings
Calories 132 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Crockpot
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans
  • 1 whole onion (skin removed and halved)
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 whole jalapeno pepper (stem and seeds removed)
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Instructions
 

  • Put beans in a crock pot.
    1 pound dried pinto beans
  • Cover with water. Water level should be about 3 inches above top of beans.
  • Add onion, garlic, and peppers.
    1 whole onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 whole jalapeno pepper
  • Cook on high for 6 hours until beans are cooked through.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. You will need to do several batches of this step.
  • Add salt to taste.
    2 teaspoons salt

Notes

Recipe can be doubled, depending on size of crock pot.
Anaheim peppers can be substituted for jalapenos.
If you like spicier beans, leave seeds in peppers.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 8gSodium: 392mgPotassium: 530mgFiber: 5gVitamin C: 2.8mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1.9mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

 

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marg says

    December 30, 2023 at 6:33 am

    5 stars
    Making these today.

    In the recipe, it just says,

    "Add onion, garlic, and peppers.
    1 whole onion,4 cloves garlic,1 whole jalapeno pepper
    Cook on high for 6 hours until beans are cooked through."

    Do you chop the onion and jalapeno pepper, or just toss everything in and walk away?
    Don't stir?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 30, 2023 at 6:57 am

      Hi Marg,
      If you jump back up to the ingredients, it states, "1 whole onion (skin removed and halved)
      4 cloves garlic
      1 whole jalapeno pepper (stem and seeds removed)
      Large chunks are fine because they will be pureed after everything is cooked.
      Sorry for the confusion! Hope that help! 🙂
      Kathy

      Reply
  2. lisi says

    February 13, 2016 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    Hey, I made these and they were pretty good! they really did have that refried bean taste without being fried (obviously). I ate them throughout the week. I'm probably making them again this weekend.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 13, 2016 at 11:54 am

      Wonderful! I'm so glad you like them! I make them often...we seem to eat a lot of refried beans!

      Reply
  3. ramona @ the merchant baker says

    February 02, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    I never thought of making my own refried beans. I love that it's a crock pot deal with no worries about an overnight soak. Can't wait to try them. We all love refried beans in this house!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 02, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      They are easy and very delicious! I hope you give them a try!

      Reply
  4. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    January 27, 2016 at 3:57 am

    Oh! I am so embarrassed to confess that I have not tried refired beans yet. But this looks so good, and I need to make it asap! Lovely share, Kathy! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 27, 2016 at 5:15 am

      It's not too late to give them a try!

      Reply
  5. Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says

    January 27, 2016 at 2:32 am

    These refried beans look delicious! Love how easy they are to prepare! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 27, 2016 at 5:15 am

      They are super easy to make!

      Reply
  6. Ashley says

    January 26, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    That's such a smart idea to make refried beans in the crockpot! And considering we eat mexican all the time I should totally make these!

    Reply
  7. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    January 26, 2016 at 2:20 am

    5 stars
    Oh wow - I can imagine the flavor of homemade refried beans...my family will love them! Especially with the added jalapeno!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 26, 2016 at 4:04 am

      You can always add a couple extra jalapenos if you like a little more heat!

      Reply
  8. Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says

    January 25, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    5 stars
    I never tried making refried beans myself, but I can only imagine how tasty they are! Homemade things are always so much better than canned, and healthier too! Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 26, 2016 at 4:05 am

      They are delicious!

      Reply
  9. Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says

    January 25, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    I just started eating refried beans about 2 months ago (silly me) but love making stuff at home that's not processed. Don't need processed food! But just the fact that this is made in a Crock pot? I mean, what can't you do with a Crock pot these days?!? Amazing =)

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 26, 2016 at 4:06 am

      Crock pots are amazing...I don't use mine nearly enough!

      Reply
  10. Adina says

    January 25, 2016 at 10:06 am

    My grandma used to make something similar in Romania, with white beans, paprika instead of jalapeno and lots of raw onions on top. I know just how delicious this is. And I love those chips as well, I would love to try this combination.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 26, 2016 at 4:07 am

      I think it is fascinating that every culture has their own dish that is so similar to other cultures.

      Reply
  11. David @ Spiced says

    January 25, 2016 at 6:17 am

    I'm with ya here, Kathy! Whenever I can make something at home myself, I'm all about it. I've never tried making refried beans myself, but after seeing these pics I totally want to try it. I'm thinking these could become a staple around here! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 26, 2016 at 5:37 am

      They are definitely a staple in our house.

      Reply
  12. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    January 24, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    5 stars
    I could eat refried bean at every meal, so crock pot refried beans sounds all sorts of amazing to me! With the convenience of the crock pot, I really CAN eat them at every meal.... which might be a dangerous thing. 😉 Can't wait to try these! Cheers!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 26, 2016 at 5:38 am

      Hope you enjoy them! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  13. karrie @ Tasty Ever After says

    January 23, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade refried beans are the best! Never made them in the crock pot before but definitely making them that way from now on. So easy and no soaking of the beans. Woohooo! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 23, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      I was never any good with remembering to soak my beans overnight, so these beans are perfect for me. Just throw everything in the pot when you're ready!

      Reply
  14. Amanda says

    January 23, 2016 at 9:01 am

    I like that you make the biggest batch that fits in your crockpot! fantastic! I am the only one I know who likes refried beans. I don't get it. they're amazing! My favorite thing to do is make a batch of refried beans, then smear it on a pizza crust to make my favorite taco pizza. I will definitely have to try this!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 23, 2016 at 1:53 pm

      On pizza! I haven't tried that! Time to make another batch of beans...gotta try it on taco pizza!

      Reply
5 from 10 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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